A Collection of musings on music, life, and the world as we know it by someone who shouldn't know better.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Twostepcubchart's Best of 2016: Part Two - #90 to #81...

Round two of this year's final recap of the biggest hits on my weekly music chart is up right now, as I count down the songs that went the highest and/or stuck around the longest on my list. You can check out part one in case you missed it by clicking here...

This Philadelphia native provided this year's cruising anthem, with a fluid synth-bass providing the foundation for songwriter Banks' D'Angelo-esque falsetto in this song that topped the normally stodgy Adult R&B chart. We're still waiting on a proper album though, even though this was originally released in the summer of 2015.

Killer lyric: I see you 'round, but now I think its time to take some time off, Oh baby that made you smile now, I know that you been running for a while now...

A country singer who dabbles in comedy under the name Earl Dibbles, Jr., Smith landed his first hit after a score of independent releases with this car-commerical-ready ode to one of the "BINGO" points of current country music but being affable enough to not be grating. The chorus is pretty epic, though.

Killer lyric: I feel the wheels like a melody, like a radio dialing in strong...

The second single from this New Orleans-based rock band had enough organic funk in it to shake some booties, and without sounding like they're straining to do it. The group topped the Adult Alternative chart with this charmer, as they took you back to school again in the video...

Killer lyric: I wish I knew you when I was young, We could've got so high, Now we're here it's been so long, Two strangers in the bright lights...

It's been an incredibly long four years since the release of Perry's last studio album, and instead of another massive product, Katy returned from a low-profile break to this single, which came out during both the Olympics and the Democratic National Convention, both of which used the song as a theme. Sadly, like Brazil and Hillary's campaign, somehow she was overpowered by shoddier music acts and keeping her out of the pop top-10 in America, though she did top the dance chart with the bangin' remixes of the tune.

Killer lyric: I'm beyond the archetype, I won't just conform, No matter how you shake my core, 'Cause my roots, they run deep, oh...

Two notable newcomers, Swedish pop songstress Larsson and British singer/songwriter MNEK, pair up on this mainstream drum-and-bass approximation that brought the happy breakup to the dancefloor. Also check out Zara's totally fun "Lush Life" single which was huge all over Europe (it even would technically come in at #164 on my year-end).

Killer lyric: Funny how we both end happy but everything seems alright, I wonder what will happen if we went back and put up a fight...

The German-born soul singer took us back to the 90s with this booty-call offering that had the making of a great 2Pac overlay, albeit for a song that's basically an ask for some "backdoor entry". His aunt sang with Prince; the influence on this shows on this single that dominated Adult R&B radio this year.

Killer lyric: Now it's time for you to show me what it's hitting for, Sip a little jack, maybe blow a little draw, Love you from behind but I hate to see you go...

The Grammy-nominated band returned after a four-year hiatus with a lush, yet personal album full of hidden emotions, like this cry for help wrapped in a disdainful take on superficial people. You can feel the desire to just run away. Can he and Alessia Cara find common ground?

Killer lyric: Since Ben got that he's a sociopath, He's only playing games don't be distracted, It's all or nothing, all or nothing, So you really got something to lose...

Chase, whose grandfather played with Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings, gets his big moment in the sun with his second straight top ten country hit that is his first to make my year-end list. A bit of two-steppin' heaven.

Killer lyric: I don't wanna be lonely with the stars all out, Need you here to help me or I might lose count...

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About Me

A 46 (yes, now 46) year old cub tryin' to make it in this crazy world.
You know the rules. Any clip will only be up for a limited time to hear out. Give a hand and go buy the record, either at the link or anywhere else you can find, so you can rest more from the artist. That's how they make their dough, so they can make more tunes. And of course any request from the artist or copyright holder to remove a clip will be promptly honored. I'm here only to spread the love.